Christiansburg – Late in the third quarter of Thursday nights game at Christiansburg, Head Coach Anthony Barnes looked up at the scoreboard to see his team trailed 57 – 38 and then fast Forward to the 79 – 73 final score to understand just how much Basketball was played over the final ten minutes of action 🎬.
Colton Gravley scored nine of his 23 points in the final stanza and Isaiah Easter netted seven of his team high 24 points in the same window, as the duo led a furious comeback down the stretch.
Barnes has been coaching too long to be counting moral victories but if he wanted to, this one would fall into that category. Down 19 points and playing on the road turning into having a good look at a 3-pointer to pull within one at 77-73 is the definition of finishing strong 💪.
Now with the Cavaliers sitting at 2-2 on the season, Barnes took a hard look at the six point setback to the Blue Demons.
” We let this one slip away, this will sting a few days. 62% of all high school games are decided by free- throws, we were 6-18 33%, turnovers 10 and missing when finishing layups. We had a great practice yesterday shooting the ball very well, great energy, had a good game plan, pulling him out of his trap , but flat just left most of it at free throw line.”
Blake Reed added seven of his 16 points during the 29 point fourth quarter explosion and freshman Will Motley netted a pair of 3 – pointers as part of his eight point night. 29 points across eight minutes would translate to 145 points in a college Basketball game. Credit the defensive side of the court for creating instant offense for the Cavaliers.
” Defensively we still getting beat off dribble drive , and offensively we are settling too quick. Our game is attacking down hill and we did into the 4th quarter, but as you well know that 8 min good looking good out of 24 min not playing well is not enough.”
Barnes received solid minutes from fifth starter, Trace Reavis (2 points) as well as Landon Kinder, Kyle Bunn and Eli Lark off the bench. This gives much needed quality floor time for a team that will continue to grow as the year plays out.
It was a comeback that fell short at the end but if it hadn’t, folks would have been talking about it by the water cooler for decades to come. When the season started the question was who could step up and provide offense in support of Easter ? We might have found the answer to that one tonight and seeing it play out against the Maroon Tide later today should be fun.
” I was pleased with effort and energy,and fight but we gotta clean up on both ends of the floor to get train back on track, ” added Barnes. ” We are no where near our potential yet with this group. We will continue working, pushing and improving and hopefully get our shot back. No rest for the guys or my staff , turn around to face next door rival in Galax tomorrow! Times are moved to 4:30 tip for jv and 6:00 for Varsity.”
Christiansburg captured the Junior Varsity game 83 – 45 and as Coach Barnes eluded to, Head Coach Ryan Phillips and his team will open the show Friday night at 4:30 at Galax
Carroll County 13. 14. 17. 29 – 73
Christiansburg 18 15. 25 21 – 79
A.S.P.N on The Hill 